The European Union Affairs Committee supports ambitiousness in transition to circular economy
The European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu today confirmed Estonia’s positions on the public consultation on the Circular Economy Act, supporting an ambitious but realistic approach that would help avoid dependence on third countries and reduce bureaucracy.
Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that the long-term plan of the initiative is to accelerate the transition to circular economy in the European Union and to make Chinese distance sellers accountable for their environmental impact. “The Chinese, who sell cheap goods to Europeans, must follow the same regulations as the European manufacturers. It should not be so that our companies are subject to producer responsibility, but Temus and Sheins are not.”
“The initiative will also influence the EU’s economic security and resilience, increase competitiveness, and reduce carbon emissions,” Tali said. “Currently, the price of secondary raw materials is significantly higher than the price of primary raw materials. The aim is to bring prices down, so that recycling could increase and the waste market in Europe would strengthen. At the same time, the quality of secondary raw materials must be levelled, and supply and demand must be balanced.”
In a public consultation, preliminary measures to strengthen the single market have been proposed. These measures are divided into two pillars. The first focuses on waste electrical and electronic equipment, or e-waste, where the aim of the measures is to ensure efficient collection and recycling, and to create market demand for the critical secondary raw materials they contain. The second pillar focuses on strengthening the single market for secondary raw materials. The creation of measures at the European Union level will help achieve the objectives of green, digital and economic security and defence.
Estonia considers it important to strengthen the extended producer responsibility system. In the case of products ordered from digital platforms, it must be ensured that third country traders follow the same rules as our companies. It is also important to improve the collection of electrical and electronic waste. Collection boxes for electronic waste must be placed in a visible location in all larger shopping centres. In addition, manufacturers must be responsible for achieving the target for the handling and collection of their products. The target should particularly cover household appliances.
The positions of the Government regarding the public consultation on the EU Circular Economy Act were presented by Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis, head of extended producer responsibility and hazardous waste at the Ministry of Climate Piret Otsason, head of waste management and digitalization at the Ministry of Climate Kristel Kibin and head of circularity and financing at Ministry of the Climate Mihkel Krusberg.
The European Union Affairs Committee decided to support the positions presented by the Government regarding the public consultation by consensus, in line with the opinion of the Environment Committee. It was also decided at the sitting of the Committee that the European Commission’s proposal for an Act would be expected in the second half of 2026.
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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